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Dmitri’s arm tightened around Emily. “If you come any closer, I’ll kill her.”

“Leah, help me!” Emily begged, tears in her eyes.

“Shut up!” Dmitri’s knife-hand jerked. The vampires tensed when he drew a thin line of blood on the woman’s throat.

Please help her. Leah’s cry twisted his insides.

“You’re surrounded,” Julian said, stepping in front of Marek and Devon. “Let her go.”

Dmitri laughed. Julian sensed the tendril of fear from Leah through their bond.

“Maybe you should ask the girl herself. Emily, would you like to go with all the nice vampires? Or do you want to come with me?”

The girl’s eyes widened. “No,” she stuttered, “No, please, don’t give me to the vampires.”

“You see? I think she prefers me.”

Marek growled low in his throat. “Let’s kill them and get this over with.”

“No, stop!” Leah pushed past Julian and Marek toward Dmitri. When Julian placed an arm to stop her, she glared at him.

I’m not leaving her.

Julian told the others to stand down and watched with predatory intent as Leah approached Emily. No one else moved. The Hunters, including Dmitri, knew they were dead if they attacked Leah.

“Emily, shh, please, it’s okay,” Leah crooned to the sobbing girl. “You’re safe with us.”

“No, I can’t. I can’t. Don’t make me.”

Leah stopped a foot away from Dmitri and Emily. “Let her go, and you can leave unharmed.”

Julian dug his fingernails into his palm, resisting the temptation to slice open Dmitri’s throat, or better, to tear out the human’s black heart.

But if his mate wished to save the human woman, he would ensure it was done, his need for vengeance be damned.

Dmitri must have decided that it was time to stop playing. Expression serious, he demanded, “Get me a car.”

Julian jerked his chin toward Rowan. “Go.”

“Julian—”

No.He cut off Marek’s protest with a mental command.

Rowan was gone a maximum of five seconds, five seconds of tense silence except for Emily’s cries. Nobody moved until Julian gave permission. “Aidan, let them through.”

Aidan moved out of the way. Two Hunters advanced toward the door. Dmitri followed, moving backward, his eyes jumping between Leah and Julian as if Leah was just as big a threat as the Ancient.

Outside, a jeep idled, waiting.

“Give her to me,” Leah said.

“How do I know you won’t kill me the minute I hand her to you?” Dmitri sneered, his arm tightening around Emily.

“You have my word,” Julian snarled.

Another laugh from Dmitri. “Do you think I’m stupid? Why would I trust the word of a vampire?”

“You can trust my word. Or you can die. Either way, you will not take the girl from here.”